Digital Avionics Fiber Optics Technology and Standards for Aerospace
I.D. # C0924 Duration 1 Day

Once used only sparingly in select digital avionics air vehicle interconnect applications, fiber optics technology has gained widespread acceptance and is becoming increasingly prevalent as standard equipment on modern aerospace platforms. As such, most new aerospace platform or retrofit programs include a fiber optic trade study in its conceptual and system design and development process. This comprehensive seminar introduces participants to aerospace fiber optics technology. Additionally, this seminar provides an overview of important standards that are available to them during the system design and development process.

This one-day seminar begins with a discussion on the basic physics of light and its application to fiber optics. Following a fundamental overview of fiber optic cable, connector, and transceiver technologies, participants learn about supportability, maintainability, manufacturing quality, and installation concerns, with emphasis given to design interface controls and life cycle cost parameters. Prior lessons learned are summarized with an emphasis on aerospace fiber optic design engineering and support principles. The seminar concludes with an in-depth description of relevant military and aerospace standards along with an example digital fiber optic system design and development methodology case study.
Learning Objectives
By attending this seminar you will be able to:
  • Explain the basic physics of light and how light couples into and out of an optical fiber
  • Identify the benefits of fiber optics technology applied to aerospace platforms
  • Define the construction and performance of aerospace fiber and fiber optic cable
  • Identify how fiber optic connections are made on aerospace platforms
  • Identify how fiber optic cables and connectors are selected for aerospace applications
  • Appraise digital fiber optic transmitter and receiver parameters
  • Identify digital fiber optic link characteristics and design principles, and avionics fiber optic interface control parameters
  • Recognize the key underlying elements of aerospace fiber optic supportability, reliability and maintainability and their relationship to life cycle cost
  • Identify fiber optic cable termination best practices for aerospace
  • Relate the content and application of SAE and MIL standards to avionics fiber optic system design and specification
  • Recognize future directions for avionics fiber optics and photonics technology
Who Should Attend
This seminar will benefit any aerospace contractor residing in the aerospace fiber optics supply chain including component manufacturers, subsystem providers, system integrators, engineers, research scientists, instructors, technicians, logisticians, and students
Prerequisites
A basic understanding of physics and electronics.
Seminar Content
  • The Basic Physics of Light and its Application to Fiber Optics
  • Introduction to Fiber Optics Technology
    • Singlemode fiber
    • Multimode fiber
  • Avionics Fiber Optic Cable Assemblies
    • Fiber optic cable
    • Fiber optic termini
    • Fiber optic connectors
    • Fiber optic cable assembly testing
  • Digital Fiber Optic Transmitters and Receivers (Transceivers)
  • Digital Fiber Optic Transmitter and Receiver Packaging Technology
  • Digital Fiber Optic Link Design and Testing Principles
    • Interface control document
    • Link loss power budget
    • Fiber optic cable optical testing and fiber optic link bit error rate testing
  • Fiber Optic Cable Assembly Qualification
  • Aerospace Fiber Optic System Supportability and Maintainability
  • Relevant Standards Organizations
  • SAE and MIL Fiber Optic Standards
  • System Design and Development Case Study
  • Future Directions for Avionics
  • Closing and Evaluations
Instructor(s): Mark Beranek
Mark Beranek has 20 years combined experience at Boeing and Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) working in the aerospace fiber optics and photonics research and engineering field. His program experiences span commercial aircraft, military aircraft, and space vehicle fiber optics development and acquisition, and government and corporate-sponsored fiber optics and photonics science and technology programs. Mr. Beranek's early aerospace career focused on development of optoelectronic device and package design and assembly technology for digital fiber optic transceiver applications including the Boeing 777, NASA Earth Observer One, and Boeing X-32 Joint Strike Fighter. More recently, Mr. Beranek has been working on military aircraft fiber optics acquisition and science & technology programs in the areas of advanced component design, qualification, standardization, supportability, maintainability and manufacturing technology development. Mr. Beranek has held fiber optics committee chairmanship positions for the IEEE Components, Packaging and Manufacturing Technology Society, IEEE Lasers and Electro-Optics Society and IEEE Photonics Society, and the SAE Avionics Systems Division. Mr. Beranek holds a B.S. in Technology and Management from the University of Maryland, University College, a B.S. in Chemistry from Northern Illinois University, and an A.S. Certificate in Electronics from Harper College.
Fees: $725 SAE Members*: $580 - $653
* The appropriate SAE Member discount will be applied through the Registration process.  Discounts vary according to level of membership: Elite Member 20%; Premium Member 15%; Classic Member 10%
CEU .7